Retrofit Action Week with Low Carbon Homes

Posted on 12 September 2023

Retrofit Action Week with Low Carbon Homes

Retrofitting the current housing stock with energy saving methods is a huge undertaking. VENTI have been exhibiting online this week with Low Carbon Homes to explain the importance of clean air and proper ventilation.

During the three-day event the team at VENTI were actively involved with Low Carbon Homes. Low carbon homes are a group that supports and connects people working in the retrofit community. The event is held across three areas in the UK. Liverpool, Birmingham, and Manchester. You can join in with future events here.

Net Zero Targets and EPC

The Net Zero target of 2050 means that retrofitting homes with new equipment to decarbonise them is a massive challenge. This is because over 30% of all carbon emissions come from our homes. As a step, the Government introduced a measure to ensure that properties that are rented reach a level C on the EPC score. Social housing companies are already focusing on improving homes that are EPC rated D-G. This is primarily to reduce the energy required to heat the building.

The aim is to improve as many homes as possible to ensure that they use less energy to heat and cool. This is because a considerable number of homes can be classed as being in fuel poverty. This is where 10% or more of the household’s income is spent on energy bills. This is important as people are having to consider whether they heat or eat. The VENTI team have seen date from Switchee devices (Smart thermostats) which show some tenants are not heating their homes in the coldest months at all or only when they really need to.

To illustrate this the cost of poor housing to the NHS is £2.5 Billion per year. So, it is not just retrofitting to meet Net Zero goals. But also, to improve our homes for healthier living. This is why we are seeing additions to the laws that govern the housing market. The introduction of Awaab’s law in 2024 will ensure that all issues with mould are addressed in a timely fashion.

Liverpool City Region and Combined Authority

During the Liverpool event in March several presenters and companies joined the online exhibition to support on best practice and innovative products. The scale of the retrofit work required is massive. If we take the Liverpool City Region and Combined Authority as the example, we can see the scale of the retrofit is significant:

70% of the current housing stock is below an EPC C grade.
60,000 homes per year need to be retrofitted.
Over 4,000 homes are being targeted in 2024 with a spend of £40 million.

When considering all measures need to reach Net Zero goals in the Liverpool Area, Russell Smith stated that:

“£1.2 Billion will be required to raise properties to EPC C rating.
£9.6 Billion is needed to reach Net Zero with limited fabric updates.
1 Billion is needed to reach Net Zero with all fabric work completed.”

You can find more information from the Liverpool City Region and Combined Authority here.

Retrofit Upgrades

A building that requires a retrofit upgrade must go through an SAP calculation. This is to obtain an EPC score. This outlines the current properties energy costs and what measures can be carried out to improve the property. A retrofit assessor and coordinator will then be involved in the process of planning the installation of the varied measures.

To reduce carbon produced by a property there are several measures that can be installed on each home. These measures have to demonstrate that they have reduced energy usage. There are grants available from Government, social housing, local councils, and some energy companies under ECO4:

Internal wall insulation (IWI)
External wall insulation (EWI)
Solar PV
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)
Battery Storage
Smart Hot Water (Mixergy and Solar Assisted Heat Pumps)
Smart Heating Control Systems
Replacement Windows and Doors
Ventilation

VENTI plays an important part in the retrofit upgrade programme. This is to ensure that the air quality is fit for the homeowners. The general term is “build tight ventilation right.” However, when the home becomes very airtight issues begin with condensation, damp, and mould. Air quality is such an important part of our homes and lives.